Vadrik, Astral Archmage MTG Card


Vadrik turns spells into formidable plays with mana-efficient cost reductions, promising an advantageous spell-flood. His prowess grows in synergy with decks packed with sorceries and instants, capitalizing on built-up power. While Vadrik offers great benefits, he demands careful mana and hand management to fully utilize his potential.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Wizard
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

If it's neither day nor night, it becomes day as Vadrik, Astral Archmage enters the battlefield. Instant and sorcery spells you cast cost less to cast, where X is Vadrik's power. Whenever day becomes night or night becomes day, put a +1/+1 counter on Vadrik.


Cards like Vadrik, Astral Archmage

Vadrik, Astral Archmage stands out in the realm of MTG for his role in spell-slinging decks. This legendary creature mirrors the functionality of cards like Goblin Electromancer, which also reduces the cost of spells. Yet, Vadrik’s effect scales with the number of counters on him, potentially leading to more significant cost reductions. While Goblin Electromancer offers a consistent cost reduction for instants and sorceries, Vadrik’s reduction can grow throughout the game, rewarding strategic play.

Comparing Vadrik to Baral, Chief of Compliance also sheds light on nuanced differences. Both cards make spells cost less, but Baral additionally provides card filtering when you counter a spell. This can be advantageous, but Vadrik’s lower initial mana cost makes him accessible earlier in the game. Finally, we look at Jace’s Sanctum, an enchantment with a similar cost-reduction ability plus the perk of scrying when casting an instant or sorcery.

While each of these cards has its strengths, Vadrik, Astral Archmage offers a unique advantage for players who can adeptly manage and maximize the number of counters on him, thereby unlocking the full potential of his cost-reducing ability in a game of MTG.

Goblin Electromancer - MTG Card versions
Baral, Chief of Compliance - MTG Card versions
Jace's Sanctum - MTG Card versions
Goblin Electromancer - MTG Card versions
Baral, Chief of Compliance - MTG Card versions
Jace's Sanctum - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vadrik, Astral Archmage by color, type and mana cost

Frenetic Efreet - MTG Card versions
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Protean Raider - MTG Card versions
Frenetic Efreet - MTG Card versions
Whirlpool Warrior - MTG Card versions
Yusri, Fortune's Flame - MTG Card versions
Aegar, the Freezing Flame - MTG Card versions
Veyran, Voice of Duality - MTG Card versions
Jori En, Ruin Diver - MTG Card versions
Wee Dragonauts - MTG Card versions
Gelectrode - MTG Card versions
Frenetic Sliver - MTG Card versions
Noggle Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Crackleburr - MTG Card versions
Noggle Ransacker - MTG Card versions
Izzet Staticaster - MTG Card versions
Jhoira of the Ghitu - MTG Card versions
Spellheart Chimera - MTG Card versions
Whirler Virtuoso - MTG Card versions
Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Nivix Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Enigma Drake - MTG Card versions
Protean Raider - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vadrik, Astral Archmage has an ability that can significantly reduce the cost of sorceries and instants, allowing players to cast numerous spells in a single turn. This potentially leads to drawing more cards and outpacing opponents by sheer volume of actions.

Resource Acceleration: With Vadrik’s cost-reduction ability tied to his power, every point counts. Mechanisms to bolster his strength effectively amplify your mana resources. This sets the stage for explosive turns where casting multiple spells becomes much easier than usual.

Instant Speed: While Vadrik himself is not an instant, his ability affects instants you control. This means your high-cost instant spells can be cast for much less, often catching opponents off guard and allowing for decisive plays in the heat of battle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vadrik, Astral Archmage, might compel you to plan your hand meticulously, as maximizing his ability often means keeping a healthy grip of instants and sorceries, which are pivotal for casting at a reduced cost. If your hand is barren, his impact on the game diminishes significantly.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Vadrik, Astral Archmage requires both blue and red mana, which can be challenging in a format where mana flexibility is key. This makes him less versatile and harder to include in decks that don’t focus on those specific colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial cost that is relatively steep for his stats, Vadrik doesn’t have an immediate board presence like other creatures at the same cost. This could set back tempo-focused strategies, since the mana could potentially be allocated to more pressing threats or board developments in the game.


Reasons to Include Vadrik Astral Archmage in Your Collection

Versatility: Vadrik Astral Archmage thrives in decks where spellcasting is frequent. His ability to reduce the cost of instants and sorceries grows as the game progresses, making him a flexible addition to any spell-heavy collection.

Combo Potential: In the right setup, Vadrik can unlock potent spell combinations by reducing costly spells to a more manageable casting price. This can enable explosive turns where multiple powerful spells are cast in quick succession.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the competitive scene, having a card like Vadrik can provide an edge in environments where spell-slinging decks are dominant. His unique cost-reduction ability keeps him relevant in various metagames.


How to beat

Vadrik, Astral Archmage can be a formidable opponent in MTG, especially when he leverages his cost-reduction ability for instants and sorceries. Taking him off the board swiftly can hinder an opponent’s ability to chain spells for a significant advantage. One efficient strategy to counter Vadrik is by using instant removal spells such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization to eliminate him before they can accumulate too much value from his ability. Additionally, countering Vadrik with spells like Mana Leak or Essence Scatter when he’s cast can preemptively shut down his potential impact. It’s critical to keep removal or counterspells at the ready since Vadrik’s cost-reduction effect grows more potent as the game progresses and the number of lands your opponent controls increases.

Another angle of attack is to employ creature-based strategies that can outpace Vadrik’s synergy-based gameplay. Overwhelming the board with creatures can pressure a Vadrik-centered deck before it stabilizes and starts casting discounted spells. Finally, disrupting the opponent’s mana base with cards like Blood Moon or preventing spellcasting with cards like Silence can effectively neutralize Vadrik’s influence and lock down your opponent’s options, allowing you to clinch the game more easily.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Vadrik, Astral Archmage involves more than just understanding his pros and cons—it’s about integrating him effectively into your MTG deck. With his intriguing cost-reduction ability for instants and sorceries, he invites bold plays and challenges you to think creatively to maximize each turn. Whether it’s employing strategic removals or building around his strengths with spell-heavy decks, Vadrik represents a dynamic force. As you continue your MTG journey, remember that adaptation and knowledge are key to reigning supreme on the battlefield. Expand your understanding of Vadrik and other synergistic strategies by engaging with us further and enhancing your collection to harness the astral mage’s full potential.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vadrik, Astral Archmage MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Vadrik, Astral Archmage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vadrik, Astral Archmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 2482015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
22021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 248p2015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
32021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 3252015NormalBlackEvan Cagle
42021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 248s2015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
52022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 2482015NormalBlackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vadrik, Astral Archmage has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vadrik, Astral Archmage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-09-24 All costs to cast a spell are locked in before mana abilities are activated and those costs are paid. If Vadrik's power changes after costs are locked in, or if Vadrik leaves the battlefield while you are activating mana abilities or paying those costs, the cost reduction effect won't be affected and the total cost to cast the spell won't change.
2021-09-24 Before a player untaps their permanents during the untap step, the game checks to see if the day/night designation should change.
2021-09-24 Day and night are designations that the game itself can have. The game starts as neither. Once the game becomes day (or less commonly, night), the game will be exactly one of them—day or night—going back and forth for the rest of the game.
2021-09-24 For more information about Day and Night and the Daybound and Nightbound abilities, please see the Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Mechanics atricle (https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/innistrad-midnight-hunt-mechanics-2021-09-02).
2021-09-24 If a triggered ability triggers whenever day becomes night or night becomes day, it only triggers if it was already either day/night and becomes the other. It does not trigger when the game becomes day or night for the first time.
2021-09-24 If it is day, and the active player of the previous turn cast no spells during their turn, it becomes night.
2021-09-24 If it is night, and the active player of the previous turn cast two or more spells during their turn, it becomes day.